Page 15 of Charmed, I’m Sure (Witches of Bellevue #1)

Inconceivable

Taylor

The house in question was surprisingly cute—a newly renovated farmhouse adorned with squared-off columns and a wrap-around porch.

The yards were well maintained, and the back even boasted a new fence, making it possible for me to finally get a dog—or three—just as I had always wanted.

But all the features I had been looking for in a house faded into the background the moment Magnolia and I stepped into the kitchen.

Her eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning; her hand flew to cover her mouth as wide blue eyes scanned the space, delicate fingers trailing along the countertops.

“Taylor,” she exhaled, spinning to face me. “Do you see this kitchen?”

“Oh, I see it.”

“Oh my god, if I could marry a kitchen, it would be this one,” she sighed appreciatively.

“So, I take it you like it, then?” I chuckled, stuffing my hands into my pockets while I watched her flit from one side of the room to the other.

I had to hand it to her; it was a stunning kitchen.

Rich cobalt blue cabinets with brushed gold accents, a white subway tile backsplash, butcher-block countertops, and a large island at the center, topped with a light gray and white marbled stone.

Coordinating open shelving flanked the apron sink.

The updated stainless steel appliances gleamed, and the gas stove was enormous.

But what truly set the space apart were the windows spanning the back of the house, looking out over the yard and flooding the room with natural light.

“Like it?” she exclaimed. “Taylor, this kitchen is a dream!”

She was right; it would have been a dream. Yet all I could focus on was the light in her eyes as she pointed out every little detail—her excitement practically alive.

After inspecting every inch, she finally settled at the island.

Running her hands along the marbled surface, her gaze drifted out the windows as she began to rattle off all the things she would love to create in a kitchen like this one.

I could easily envision her here, standing with a cup of coffee in hand, something delicious baking in the oven, and a streak of flour smudged on her cheek.

She just fit—cotton candy hair, ripped jeans, and all.

“Rolling out dough or tempering chocolate would be a breeze on this counter,” she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.

I’m not sure what possessed me, but one moment I was standing by the staged dining table, and the next I was behind Magnolia, my hands braced on the counter, flanking her hips.

“You look good in this kitchen, cher,” I whispered, savoring her tiny, sharp intake of breath. She had evidently been lost in her imagination more than I’d realized.

As she rotated within my arms until her backside pressed against the counter, her wide eyes met mine, and she asked in a hushed whisper, “What are you doing?”

Damn, that was a good question—one I didn’t have an answer to just yet.

Other than pushing my luck, I was at a loss.

I had no idea how she would react, whether she had blocked out the chemistry between us after she discovered my identity last weekend.

But I figured now was as good a time as any to find out.

“You never answered my question from earlier,” I said, matching her tone and volume.

“What question?”

Her eyes resembled aquamarine pools with flecks of gold, flickering between mine. Stepping closer, I suppressed the cocky smile threatening to break free as her breath hitched. That tiny gasp was music to my ears as her breaths quickened.

“Is this a date, Magnolia?” I leaned down until there was barely an inch between our noses; her gaze dropped to my mouth for a fleeting moment before returning to my eyes. “Or is this just you doing me a favor?”

“Um.” Her swallow was audible as she leaned back, her sweater slipping further down her shoulder and revealing more of the black lace beneath and the intricate ink that adorned her arm.

“Usually there’s food involved in… in a—” she cleared her throat, and I noticed her hands flexing against the edge of the counter, “date.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Famished.” A deep rosy hue colored her cheeks as she met my gaze, her bottom lip disappearing beneath her teeth.

I’d just pressed my hips into hers, my lips a breath away from achieving the one thing that had occupied my thoughts for the last four days when the click of heels on wood echoed into the space.

“Oh, Taylor, there you are! I’m so sorry I’m late.”

Closing my eyes briefly, I expelled a disgruntled breath. When I opened them, confusion swirled in Magnolia’s eyes. “We’re not finished yet, cher. Not by a long shot.” Straightening, I turned to smile at my realtor. “Cindy, how are you?”

“I’m fine, thanks. You didn’t like any of the listings I sent you?” she asked, her brows pulling together at the center.

“They were fine, just not what I was looking for.”

“Oh… okay.” Her eyes grew distant for a moment, as if she couldn’t fathom being wrong, before she plastered a smile back on her face. “Well, how do we feel about this place? It must have just gone on the market because it wasn’t even on my radar…”

I watched as Cindy pulled up the specs for the house on her iPad, rattling them off in much the same way Magnolia had, but there was no warmth in her tone.

No excitement over the newly renovated master suite that featured both a shower and a clawfoot tub, or the recently reseeded yards.

It was all just bullet points meant to push a sale, and that wasn’t something I was interested in hearing.

Turning back to Magnolia, I caught the hesitant smile on her lips.

“I’m going to step outside for a minute. Let you handle… this.” She waved her hand in a small circle, her eyes wide as she watched Cindy prattle on about the house’s history, oblivious to the interruption.

Before she could take more than a step away, I grabbed her hand and pulled her back toward me. “Don’t disappear on me, cher. I meant what I said; we’re not done here. Plus, I still owe you dinner.”

“So it is a date?” she asked, her brows lifting in surprise as a playful smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“It can be whatever you want it to be, baby girl.” I held her gaze, my thumb brushing over the pulse in her wrist. But just as she opened her mouth to respond, Cindy interrupted… again.

“So, what are we thinking?”

Magnolia

We’re not done here yet.

Baby girl?!

Cher.

Good lord, this man was making my head spin.

His words echoed in my mind as the crisp fall air cooled the heat in my cheeks, finally allowing me to breathe without the scent of sex on a stick filling my lungs.

I was a thirty-year-old educated businesswoman.

Yet when Taylor Hallows looked at me like I was the only person in the world or stepped into my space, it was like being a teenager meeting their boy band crush for the first time.

Thoughts? We evidently didn’t know her. My brain cells fizzled into nothingness, leaving behind the sound of Charlie Brown’s teacher—just random noises that made no sense.

I didn’t get it. I had never been the type of girl to swoon over a guy.

I’d always been able to keep my wits about me, to form coherent sentences.

But one look into those beautiful sapphire eyes, and the only thing that seemed to function with any proficiency was my libido.

Bracing my hands on the railing surrounding the porch, I took a steadying breath and pulled out my phone.

Sista Sista Chat

Magnolia

Guys…

Madison

Oh, shit. Already?

Meredith

Wait, what’s going on? What did I miss?

Madison

Do you ever check your phone? Mags is on a date-not-date with Taylor.

Meredith

I’ve been in class, Maddie, geez.

Taylor who?

Wait, are you talking about that sexy smart type from the mixer?

Magnolia

How do you remember that?

Meredith

Mind like a vice. But what’s happening? I’m so lost right now.

Magnolia

Yes, that Taylor. Also known as Taylor Hallows.

Meredith

The guy who was an ass in high school? Why are you on a date-not-date or whatever with him?

Madison

One and the same. But what’s going on, Mags? Do you need an out?

Meredith

Wait, what’s the code word? No one told me the code word!

Magnolia

*sighing emoji* No, I don’t need a rescue. I don’t know what I need.

Meredith

SOMEONE TELL ME THE CODE WORD!

Madison

It’s “inconceivable.” Happy now?

Meredith

*brow raised emoji*

Magnolia

Mer, when are you coming home? I’ll explain everything then.

Meredith

Possibly this weekend? But with the weather coming, I’m not sure. I might have to hunker down here.

Magnolia

Have you checked/enhanced your enchantments on the apartment?

Meredith

Yeah, they’re good to go.

Madison

Can we get back on track, please? Mags, what’s going on?

Magnolia

He almost kissed me.

Meredith

WHAT?!?!?!

Madison

WHAT?!

Magnolia

Oh, shit. I think he’s finishing up with the realtor.

Madison

Magnolia Bellevue, don’t you dare drop that bomb and then ghost us!

Taking a deep breath, I glanced back at the door to ensure he wasn’t near and hit the little red voice record button.

Magnolia

“Okay, I’m sending this in a voice message because it’s faster.

We were looking at a house, and I was fawning over the kitchen—as one does when house hunting.

The next thing I know, he’s got me caged against the counter, and his lips are a hair’s breadth from mine.

I don’t know what to do! He said he’s taking me to dinner when we finish up here. Do I go? Do I chicken out? HELP!”

Madison

Yeaaaah, remember when I said you were screwed?

Magnolia

Shut up.

Madison

Rude.

Magnolia

Not helpful.

Madison

But I told you so.

Now go have dinner, and don’t text us again unless you need an out. I expect a full recap when you get back home.

Meredith

Sissy, if you don’t go to dinner with that fine piece of ass, I will never speak to you again.

Kidding… kind of. *winking smiley face emoji*

Magnolia

Y’all are the worst.